April 28, 2015, NAIROBI: “Leadership is the use of persuasion for people to do good.” These are the remarks by Dr. Luis Franceschi, Continuing and Founding Dean of Strathmore Law School during the last day of Strategy and The CEO training program organised by Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) in partnership with Strathmore Business School, in Nairobi.
The two-day training is a high impact business leaders’ experience designed to enable the participants to stretch their leadership beyond just operational, mere improvements, making deals and in building competence on CEO’s competitiveness through discussions across constitution of boards, ethical corporate governance, resilience and scenario and results oriented execution in leadership.
“Investments in Africa such as energy and infrastructure are key opportunities for companies repositioning themselves to deal with major challenges facing the continent,” said Dr. Julius Kipng’etich, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Equity Bank Limited at the training.
“Africa is younger, decentralized, decorporatized, connected and an unconvinced market. Access to these resources will change Africa and open up the continent to investors,” said Dr. Kipng’etich. He added that corporations need to build brand trust in order to tap into these opportunities in Africa.
Adding to the role of leaders, Dr. Jim Boyd McFie, lecturer in Management Accounting and Financial Reporting and Analysis, said that corporations should uphold ethical governance in their undertakings. “Business exists primarily to create a product or service which is used to generate profit. Business must have balanced controls that ensure a company pursues profit without crossing over the line into unethical behaviour,” added Dr. McFie.
The challenge of developing and re-establishing a clear strategy is often primarily an organizational one and depends on leadership. “The most effective board of directors are generally a group of people who bring a mixture of relevant skills, experience, interests and contacts to your enterprise. They should provide strategic leadership and critical oversight and be a sounding board for the management,” added Dr. McFie.
Business entities also need good leadership from all influential players in the economy including government and private entities. “Lobby groups such as Kenya Association of Manufacturers should help industries by keeping the government on its toes to avoid issues such as counterfeit and dumping,” said Ms. Tabitha Karanja, Keroche Breweries CEO.
Through the Manufacturing Academy, KAM provides well researched training programs customised to the needs to members and delivered through both open house and in-house modules. “The aim of the programs is to bridge the skills gap between industry needs and the skills available on the market,” Mrs Flora Mutahi, KAM Vice Chairlady said.